JP5149046B2 - Image display device, program, and display control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image display device, and is particularly suitable for use in a mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant).

  Conventionally, in a cellular phone, a display unit for displaying an image and an operation unit for performing an operation input are individually arranged. In a foldable mobile phone or a slide-type mobile phone, the display unit and the operation unit overlap each other when not in use, but when in use, the display unit and the operation unit are moved up and down by rotating or sliding. It is arranged to line up. The reason for this arrangement is to facilitate input by the operation unit while viewing the display unit.

In Patent Document 1, when a mobile phone is changed from a vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation while a television image is displayed on the display unit, the television image is also switched from a vertical display to a horizontal display accordingly. A possible configuration is disclosed. In this configuration, the characters and symbols attached to the operation keys of the operation unit are also switched to the horizontal display in accordance with the change of the mobile phone to the horizontal posture.
JP 2005-012493 A

  In the configuration of Patent Document 1, the image display direction is automatically set according to the attitude of the mobile phone, but the image display direction cannot be arbitrarily set according to the user's intention. However, for example, in the case where an image is temporarily shown to other people who meet, it is convenient to be able to switch the display direction of the image to a desired direction while holding the mobile phone in hand. It is.

  Alternatively, the entire front surface of the mobile phone may be used as a display area, and an information presentation image (television image, etc.) and an operation button image may be assigned to the display area. In this case, a touch panel is arranged in the display area, and operation input can be performed from an image for operation buttons. However, with this configuration, when no image is displayed in the display area, such as when not in use, the user cannot immediately determine from which the mobile phone display direction is based on the overview. Therefore, in the case of this configuration, it is preferable that the screen can be arbitrarily activated in the direction of the hand (viewing direction) according to the user's intention. In this way, the user can appropriately display an image in the direction held in the hand (viewing direction) only by starting the screen by a predetermined operation without having to change the direction of the mobile phone.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image display device that can appropriately set the display direction of an image according to the user's intention.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention has the following features.

An image display apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a display unit that displays an image in a display area, a display control unit that controls display of the image, and an operation unit that sets a display direction of the image. Position detection means for detecting a position pointed to by the user on the display area, wherein the display control means is in a display direction corresponding to the operation of the operation means and in the same position in each display direction. An information presentation image and an operation input image are displayed side by side in the display area so as to be in a relationship, and the position detection unit performs the operation in each display direction in which the detection area can be set by the operation unit. It is arranged to cover an area where an input image is positioned. Furthermore, the image display device according to the first aspect further includes viewing direction determination means for determining a viewing direction of the information presentation image and the operation input image by the user, and the display control means includes the viewing direction. When the operation for setting the display direction in a different direction is performed via the operation means, the operation is invalidated.

  Here, the “information presentation image” refers to an image that provides predetermined information to the user, such as a television image, a mail image, or a menu image, and the “operation input image” refers to an operation key. An image used when the user performs a predetermined operation input.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image display device according to the first aspect, the operation means includes first and second operation units arranged with a center of the display area interposed therebetween, and the display control The means determines a display direction of the information presentation image and the operation input image based on which one of the first and second operation units is operated.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image display device according to the second aspect, the display control means is configured such that when the first operation unit is operated, the first operation unit is directed downward. When the image for information presentation and the image for operation input are displayed and the second operation unit is operated, the image for information presentation and the operation input are arranged in a direction in which the second operation unit is directed downward. The image is displayed.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image display device according to the second or third aspect, the first and second operation units are arranged on the display area.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image display device according to the first aspect , the viewing direction determination means includes an inclination detection means for detecting an inclination of the image display apparatus from a horizontal plane, and the inclination detection means The viewing direction is determined by comparing the detected inclination with a threshold value .

An image display device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention includes a display unit that displays an image in a display area, a display control unit that controls display of the image, and an operation unit that sets a display direction of the image. The display control means displays the information presentation image and the operation input image in a display direction corresponding to the operation of the operation means and in the same positional relationship in each display direction. It is characterized by being displayed side by side in an area . Furthermore, the image display device according to the sixth aspect further includes viewing direction determination means for determining a viewing direction of the information presentation image and the operation input image by the user, and the display control means includes the viewing direction. When the operation for setting the display direction in a different direction is performed via the operation means, the operation is invalidated.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for setting a display direction of the image on the operation unit in a computer of an image display device including a display unit that displays an image in a display area and an operation unit. So that the display position is in the same position in each display direction.
A function of displaying an information presentation image and an operation input image side by side in the display area, a function of determining a viewing direction of the information presentation image and the operation input image by a user, and the viewing direction And a function for invalidating the operation when the operation for setting the display direction is performed via the operation means.

An eighth aspect of the present invention relates to a display control method for an image display device comprising display means for displaying an image in a display area and operation means. The display control method according to this aspect includes a display direction according to an operation for setting the display direction of the image on the operation unit, and an information presentation image so as to have the same positional relationship in each display direction. Displaying the operation input image side by side in the display area; determining the viewing direction of the information presentation image and the operation input image by the user; and setting the display direction in a direction different from the viewing direction. And a step of invalidating the operation when the setting operation is performed via the operation means.

Also in the sixth aspect, the seventh aspect, and the eighth aspect , as in the first aspect, the “information providing image” is a predetermined image for the user such as a television image, a mail image, or a menu image. An image that provides information is referred to, and “an image for operation input” refers to an image used when a user performs a predetermined operation input, such as an image showing an operation key.

  According to the image display device of each aspect described above, the display direction of the image for information presentation and the image for operation input is desired by the user operating the operation means (the first operation unit and the second operation unit). The direction can be set. Therefore, the user can freely set the display direction as necessary. Further, when viewed in each display direction, the information presentation image and the operation input image are in the same positional relationship, so that the user can see each image without a sense of incongruity, or to other people The image can be shown without a sense of incongruity.

  In addition, according to the first aspect, since the arrangement position of the information presentation image and the operation input image does not change in any display direction, the user or another person can smoothly view the information presentation image. An operation input can be performed. At this time, since the arrangement area of the operation input image in each display direction is covered by the detection area of the position detection means, it is possible to appropriately perform the input using the operation input image in any display direction. it can.

  In addition, if the first and second operation units are arranged as in the second mode, the image direction can be easily changed from other people in the case where the image is temporarily shown to other people who face each other. An operation for switching can be performed.

Furthermore, in the first aspect, the sixth aspect, the seventh aspect, and the eighth aspect, even if the operating means is erroneously operated during image viewing, the screen is not switched to a direction different from the viewing direction. Therefore, the user can view the screen smoothly.

Note that the viewing direction of the image by the user can be determined by detecting the tilt of the apparatus main body by the tilt detecting means as in the fifth aspect . That is, when viewing with a screen display device in hand, the device main body may be tilted to the user side so that the image can be easily viewed. Therefore, as in the fifth aspect , when the apparatus main body is tilted more than a predetermined threshold from the horizontal direction, if the operation for changing the display direction of the image is invalidated, the image is erroneously viewed when viewing the image. Even if the first and second operation units are operated, it is possible to prevent the image from being switched to a direction different from the viewing direction.

The effects and significance of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of embodiments. However, the following embodiment is merely an example when the present invention is implemented, and the present invention is not limited to what is described in the following embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a surface that displays an image is referred to as a display surface, and an image that is displayed on the entire display surface is referred to as a display image.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an external configuration of a mobile phone which is an embodiment of the image display device of the present invention. (A), (b), and (c) are a front view, a right side view, and a rear view, respectively.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the mobile phone according to the present embodiment includes a cabinet 1 that forms the outline of the mobile phone. The cabinet 1 has a vertically long rectangular shape when viewed from the front. A liquid crystal display 2 is arranged on the front side of the cabinet 1, and a display surface 3 of the liquid crystal display 2 faces the front of the cabinet 1. Similar to the cabinet 1, the display surface 3 has a vertically long rectangular shape and occupies almost the entire front surface of the cabinet 1.

  As shown in the figure, this cellular phone has a substantially symmetrical shape in the up, down, left and right directions, and only the display surface 3 is arranged when viewed from the front. That is, this mobile phone has a shape in which the vertical direction cannot be immediately recognized from its appearance.

  A transparent touch panel 4 is arranged in front of the liquid crystal display 2. The touch panel 4 detects a position on the display surface 3 pressed by the user, and outputs a signal (position signal) corresponding to the position. A transparent protective panel 5 is arranged in front of the touch panel 4. The protection panel 5 protects the touch panel 4 from being damaged.

  In this mobile phone, display images corresponding to various function modes (e-mail mode, television mode, music mode, Internet mode, camera mode, etc.) are displayed on the display surface 3. The user can execute the processing of these function modes by performing a predetermined operation on the display surface 3.

  The display image displayed on the display surface 3 includes a bar 6 extending in the horizontal direction. The bar 6 divides the display image into two upper and lower areas. The area above the bar 6 is the information display area R1, and the area below the bar 6 is the operation area R2. Various information such as television images, photographic images, and text images are displayed in the information display area R1. In the operation area R2, images of various operation keys 7 (soft keys) are displayed. These operation keys 7 are assigned on the touch panel 4 according to the function mode.

  A first switch key 8 is assigned on the touch panel 4 to the position of the left corner portion at the bottom of the display surface 3. A second switch key 9 is assigned on the touch panel 4 at a position diagonally opposite to the first switch key 8 on the display surface 3, that is, the position of the right corner portion on the upper portion of the display surface 3. The images of the first and second switching keys 8 and 9 are displayed in a predetermined display form corresponding to the display direction of the display image when the display image of the function mode is displayed on the display surface 3. When the mobile phone is in the standby state (standby state), the display on the display surface 3 is turned off, and the images of the switching keys 8 and 9 are not displayed. However, the user corresponds to each switching key 8 and 9. If an area is pressed, the function is accepted.

  The bar 6 can be moved up and down on the display image by operating the jog dial 10. The jog dial 10 is provided at the center of the back surface of the cabinet 1 and rotates in the vertical direction. When the jog dial 10 rotates upward, the bar 6 moves upward, and when the jog dial 10 rotates downward, the bar 6 moves downward. Depending on the function mode, the bar 6 may move up and down according to the operation of the touch panel 4 by the user.

  An R button 11 and an L button 12 are arranged on the left and right of the jog dial 10, respectively. With these R button 11 and L button 12, an operation for performing a certain process can be performed.

  Inside the cabinet 1, a camera module 13 is disposed on the top thereof. An imaging lens 13 a and a flash unit 13 b of the camera module 13 are arranged on the back surface of the cabinet 1.

  Further, an angle sensor 14 is disposed inside the cabinet 1. The angle sensor 14 detects an inclination angle α with respect to a horizontal plane in the vertical direction (longitudinal direction) of the mobile phone.

  In this mobile phone, display images in various function modes can be switched by fixing the bar 6 at a predetermined position. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 1A, a plurality of fixed positions (for example, L1 to L6) are set in the vertical direction on the display image. For example, when the user operates the jog dial 10 to move the bar 6 to the fixed position L5 and presses the R button 11 while the bar 6 is at the fixed position L5, a display image in the television mode is displayed. Further, when the bar 6 is moved to the fixed position L6 and the R button 11 is pressed, the display image in the television mode is switched to the display image in the mail mode.

  FIG. 2A shows a display image in the television mode. FIG. 5B shows a display image in the mail mode. In the TV mode, as shown in FIG. 2A, video content (moving image such as a TV program) is displayed in the information display area R1, and a plurality of operation keys 7 for operations related to video display are operated. Displayed in region R2. In the mail mode, as shown in FIG. 5B, entered characters and the like are displayed in the information display area R1, and a plurality of operation keys 7 for inputting and transmitting / receiving mail documents are displayed in the operation area R2. The Note that the operation key 7 is displayed so that the boundary with the adjacent function can be understood by surrounding the function character with a square line.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the mobile phone according to the present embodiment. In addition to the components described with reference to FIG. 1, the cellular phone includes a CPU 100, a memory 101, a TV module 102, a video encoder 103, a microphone 104, an audio encoder 105, a communication module 106, a backlight drive circuit 107, a video decoder 108, and an audio decoder. 109, an audio output circuit 110, and a speaker 111.

  The TV module 102 includes a TV tuner, a DEMUX (Demultiplexer), etc., converts radio waves such as terrestrial digital broadcast waves and terrestrial analog broadcast waves received via the antenna 102a into video signals and audio signals, and sends them to the CPU 100.

  The camera module 13 is provided with an image sensor 13c. The subject image captured from the imaging lens 13a is formed on the imaging element 13c. The image sensor 13 c is composed of, for example, a CCD, generates an image signal corresponding to the captured image, and outputs the image signal to the video encoder 103. The video encoder 103 converts the image signal from the image sensor 13 c into a digital image signal that can be processed by the CPU 100 and outputs the digital image signal to the CPU 100.

  The microphone 104 converts an audio signal into an electric signal and outputs the electric signal to the audio encoder 105. The audio encoder 105 converts the audio signal from the microphone 104 into a digital audio signal that can be processed by the CPU 100 and outputs the digital audio signal to the CPU 100.

  The communication module 106 converts an audio signal, an image signal, a text signal, and the like from the CPU 100 into a radio signal and transmits it to the base station via the antenna 106a. In addition, a radio signal received via the antenna 106a is converted into an audio signal, an image signal, a text signal, and the like and output to the CPU 100.

  The liquid crystal display 2 includes a liquid crystal display panel 2a and a backlight device 2b serving as a light source for the liquid crystal display panel 2a. The backlight drive circuit 107 supplies a voltage signal corresponding to the control signal from the CPU 100 to the backlight device 2b. The backlight device 2b supplies a light amount corresponding to the voltage signal to the liquid crystal display panel 2a. The video decoder 108 converts the video signal from the CPU 100 into an analog video signal that can be displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 2a, and outputs the analog video signal to the liquid crystal display panel 2a. The liquid crystal display panel 2 a displays an image corresponding to the video signal on the display surface 3.

  The audio decoder 109 converts the audio signal from the CPU 100 into an analog audio signal that can be output from the speaker 111 and outputs the analog audio signal to the audio output circuit 110. The audio output circuit 110 receives an audio signal from the audio decoder 109 and a control signal for volume adjustment from the CPU 100. The audio output circuit 110 amplifies the input audio signal according to the control signal from the CPU 100 and outputs the amplified audio signal to the speaker 111. The speaker 111 reproduces the audio signal from the audio output circuit 110 as audio.

  The memory 101 stores image data captured by the camera module 13, image data captured from the outside via the communication module 106, text data (mail data), and the like in a predetermined file format.

  The memory 101 includes RAM and ROM. The RAM functions as a work area when the CPU 100 generates an image to be displayed on the liquid crystal display 2. In the ROM, a control program for operating the CPU 100 is stored.

  The CPU 100 controls each part such as the communication module 106, the video decoder 108, and the audio decoder 109 based on input signals from the respective parts such as the touch panel 4, the jog dial 10, the R button 11, the L button 12, the microphone 104, and the image sensor 13c. Is output, the various function modes are processed.

  Further, the CPU 100 displays the display image of each function mode on the display surface 3 in the display direction according to the operation of the first switching key 8 and the second switching key 9.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a switching state of the display direction of the display image according to the operation of the first and second switching keys 8 and 9. Hereinafter, the display direction switching processing by the CPU 100 will be described with reference to FIG. In this figure, a display image in the television mode is illustrated, but the same processing is performed for display images in other function modes.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, in the standby state, the CPU 100 puts the liquid crystal display 2 in a non-driven state. As a result, power consumption of a battery (not shown) is suppressed. At this time, as described above, the images of the first switching key 8 and the second switching key 9 are not displayed, but if the area is pressed, the key can be received. That is, the CPU 100 monitors whether or not the first switching key 8 and the second switching key 9 are pressed in the standby state.

  When in a standby state, the mobile phone is usually terminated in a bag or pocket. In this mobile phone, when the user tries to use the mobile phone after removing it from the bag or the like, nothing is displayed on the display surface 3, so it is difficult to recognize the vertical direction of the device at first glance. For this reason, the user holds the mobile phone so that either the side on which the first switching key 8 is arranged or the side on which the second switching key 9 is arranged comes to the front. However, in any state, the user can display the display image in an appropriate direction only by operating the lower left corner portion of the display surface 3 even when holding the mobile phone.

  That is, when the user holds the mobile phone so that the first switching key 8 side comes to the front, the user presses the first switching key 8. When the first switch key 8 is pressed by the user, the CPU 100 displays the display image so that the display direction is the first direction in which the first switch key 8 is down as shown in FIG. Display.

  On the other hand, when the user holds the mobile phone so that the second switching key 9 side comes to the front, the user presses the second switching key 9. When the second switching key 9 is pressed by the user, the CPU 100 displays the display image so that the display direction is the second direction in which the second switching key 9 is down as shown in FIG. Display.

  With such a configuration, even if the user holds the mobile phone in any direction, the display image can be displayed in a direction in which the front side is facing down simply by touching the lower left corner of the display surface 3. Can be displayed. Therefore, the user does not have to check the vertical direction of the mobile phone or change the mobile phone when the display is upside down. Therefore, user convenience is improved.

  Moreover, not only the direction of characters and images changes depending on the direction the user has, but the positions of the information display area R1 and the operation area R2 are interchanged, and the operation area R2 is always in front. Therefore, the operability is not deteriorated.

  Further, since the first switching key 8 and the second switching key 9 are provided at diagonal positions, the key positions do not change even when the mobile phone is turned upside down. Therefore, the user can operate the switching key with the same feeling regardless of which side of the mobile phone is held. In addition, if the user knows whether the first and second switching keys 8 and 9 are in the left or right corner, the switching keys 8 and 9 can be easily displayed even when the switching keys 8 and 9 are not displayed. 8 and 9 can be operated.

  Next, for example, when the mobile phone is used in the state shown in FIG. 4B, the display screen 3 displays the images of the first switch key 8 and the second switch key 9 together with the display image of the television mode. Is displayed. At this time, since the second switching key 9 is displayed in the information display area R1, it is desirable to prevent the image of the second switching key 9 from interfering with the image displayed there. Therefore, the second switching key 9 is displayed as inconspicuous as possible. For example, in the second switching key 9, only the frame indicating the area is drawn with a thin line, or the key shape is drawn in a light color (a color slightly darker than the surrounding colors). Since the first switching key 8 is displayed in the operation area R2, it does not have to be inconspicuous, and is drawn with a thicker frame or a darker color than the second switching key 9. The

  In this image display state, even if the first switching key 8 is pressed by the user, the key is not accepted. On the other hand, when the second switching key 9 is pressed by the user, the CPU 100 displays the display image so that the display direction is the second direction as shown in FIG.

  In the image display state shown in FIG. 4C, the first switching key 8 is displayed in the information display area R2 contrary to the above, so that the first switching key 8 and the second switching key 9 are displayed. The form changes. In this image display state, even if the user presses the second switching key 9, the key is not accepted. On the other hand, when the first switch key 8 is pressed by the user, the CPU 100 displays the display image so that the display direction is the first direction as shown in FIG. 4B.

  With this configuration, when the user passes the mobile phone to the partner in front of the user, the user or the partner can press the first switching key 8 or the second switching key 9 to switch the display direction. It is not necessary to change the orientation of the mobile phone when handing it over to the other party, and smooth delivery is possible.

  Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and the embodiment of the present invention is also appropriately within the scope of the technical idea shown in the claims. Various modifications are possible. For example, the embodiment of the present invention can be modified as follows.

<Modification 1>
In the above embodiment, a mobile phone is used, and as shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C, when the display image is displayed, the user mistakenly selects the first switch key 8 or the first switch key. When the 2 switch key 9 is pressed, the display direction is switched.

  Therefore, the configuration of the modification 1 is provided with a protection function against such a malfunction. The angle sensor 14 shown in FIG. 3 is used for this protection function. Hereinafter, the display direction switching process when the protection function is provided will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. 5 is a flowchart of the display direction switching process, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the tilt angle α of the mobile phone and the threshold value β.

  When the CPU 100 determines that the first switching key 8 has been pressed (S101: YES), the CPU 100 determines whether or not the display direction is the second direction. When determining that the direction is the second direction (S102: YES), the CPU 100 determines whether or not the inclination angle α is equal to or less than a threshold value β (predetermined predetermined angle).

  As shown in FIG. 6, the inclination angle α is an upward angle from the horizontal plane on the information display area R1 side with respect to the operation area R2 side of the mobile phone. When the user is using the mobile phone, the angle is set so that the display image is easy to see. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5A, the inclination angle α is a large angle and is considered to exceed the threshold value β. On the other hand, when the user tries to hand over the mobile phone to the other party, the mobile phone is almost horizontal, so that the inclination angle α is a small angle and is below the threshold value β as shown in FIG. It is considered to be.

  Therefore, when determining that the tilt angle α is equal to or smaller than the threshold value β, the CPU 100 determines that the key has been properly pressed, and reverses the display direction of the display image to the first direction (S104). On the other hand, if the CPU 100 determines that the tilt angle α exceeds the threshold value β, the CPU 100 determines that the key is pressed by mistake and invalidates the key (does not reverse the display direction).

  When the CPU 100 determines that the display direction is the first direction (S106: YES) even when the second switch key 9 is pressed (S105: YES), the CPU 100 compares the tilt angle α with the threshold β ( Only when it is determined that the inclination angle α is equal to or less than the threshold value β (S103), the display direction of the display image is reversed to the second direction (S104).

  In this way, this processing is performed until the mobile phone enters a standby state and the display is turned off (S107: YES).

  Thus, if it is set as the structure of the example 1 of a change, it can prevent that the 1st and 2nd switching keys 8 and 9 are pushed accidentally and a display is switched.

<Modification 2>
In the above embodiment, in the image display state shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C, the first and second switching keys 8 and 9 are displayed on the display surface 3, and only the switching key on the information display area R1 side is displayed. It is configured to be able to accept. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and in a state in which the display image is displayed in any direction, even if any of the first and second switch keys 8 and 9 is pressed, the direction opposite to the display direction at that time Alternatively, the display direction may be switched.

  With such a configuration, when the user hands over the mobile phone to the other party, it is only necessary to press the switch key on the near side (the first switch key 8 in the case of FIG. 4B), and the usability is further improved.

  In such a configuration, since the switching key on the operation area R2 side can be operated, the possibility of an erroneous operation is higher than that in the above embodiment. Therefore, in such a configuration, it is more desirable to add the protection function of the first modification. Alternatively, the key may be received only when the switching key on the operation region R2 side is operated specially, for example, when the switch key is long-pressed or pressed a plurality of times.

  Further, when priority is given to not hindering the display of the information display area R2, the display of the switching key on the information display area R2 side is turned off, and the display direction is switched only with the switching key on the operation area R2 side. You may do it.

<Modification 3>
In the above embodiment, the first and second switching keys 8 and 9 are arranged in the display surface 3, that is, on the touch panel 4. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first and second switching keys 8 and 9 are diagonally arranged on the lower and upper sides of the cabinet 1 outside the display surface 3, that is, for example, as shown in FIG. Each of the positions may be provided with a configuration. Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, the first switching key 8 is arranged at the lower part of the left side surface of the cabinet 1 and the second switching key 9 is arranged at the upper part of the right side surface of the cabinet 1. Also good.

  With this configuration, the user can reliably recognize the first and second switching keys 8 and 9 even when the display on the display surface 3 disappears in the standby state.

<Other Embodiments of the Present Invention>
The present invention can be applied to, for example, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) in addition to a cellular phone. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a PDA according to another embodiment.

  In this PDA, the cabinet 51 has a substantially square shape when viewed from the front. A display surface 52 of a liquid crystal display panel (not shown) is disposed on the front surface of the cabinet 51 over substantially the entire surface thereof. A touch panel 53 is disposed on the front surface of the display surface 52, and a protective panel (not shown) is disposed on the front surface.

  A display image of various function modes (for example, a television mode) displayed on the display surface 52 is divided into an information display region R3 and an operation region R4. Various information such as video content (for example, a television program) is displayed in the information display area R3, and various operation keys 54 are displayed in the operation area R4.

  On the touch panel 53, a first switching key 55, a second switching key 56, a third switching key 57, and a fourth switching key 58 are assigned to the four corner positions in the display surface 52. These switching keys 55 to 58 are also displayed on the display surface 52 in a predetermined display form together with the display images of the respective function modes, as in the above embodiment.

  In this PDA, for example, when the second switching key 56 and the fourth switching key 58 on the right side are pressed simultaneously in the image display state shown in FIG. 8A, as shown in FIG. The display direction is switched to the right side of the figure. Similarly, if the two switching keys 55 and 57 on the left side are pressed simultaneously, the display direction is switched to the left in the figure, and the two switching keys 57 and 58 on the upper side are pressed simultaneously. If so, the display direction is switched to the upper direction in the figure.

  Also in the configuration of other embodiments, the user does not need to change the orientation of the PDA in accordance with the direction of the other party, and the user convenience is improved as in the above embodiment.

<Others>
In the above-described embodiment or modification, when a switching key is arranged in the display surface 3 (52), a groove indicating the outer shape of the switching key may be formed in the protective panel 5. This makes it easier for the user to recognize the position of the switching key even when it is not displayed on the display surface 3.

  The switching keys are preferably arranged on both sides of the device. However, the position and number of the switching keys are not limited to those shown in the above-described embodiments and modification examples, and the positions may be changed as necessary. The number can be increased or decreased.

  Furthermore, the inclination angle α of the first modification may be configured to be detected by an acceleration sensor.

  Furthermore, in the said embodiment, although the touch panel 4 is used as a position detection means of this invention, if the position detection means of this invention can detect the position pointed by the user on a display area, Other sensors can also be used.

  In addition, the embodiment of the present invention can be variously modified as appropriate within the scope of the technical idea shown in the claims.

The figure which shows the external appearance structure of the mobile telephone based on Embodiment The figure which shows the display image of television mode and mail mode based on embodiment The block diagram which shows the whole structure of the mobile telephone based on Embodiment The figure for demonstrating the display direction switching process based on Embodiment Flowchart of display direction switching processing according to modification example 1 The figure which shows the relationship between inclination-angle (alpha) and threshold value (beta) of a mobile telephone based on the example 1 of a change. The figure which shows the arrangement configuration of the 1st and 2nd switching key based on the example 3 of a change The figure which shows the structure of PDA based on other embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

2 Liquid crystal display panel (display means)
4 Touch sensor (position detection means)
8 First switch key (first operation unit)
9 Second switch key (second operation unit)
14 Angle sensor (tilt detection means)
100 CPU (display control means)

Claims (8)

Display means for displaying an image in the display area;
Display control means for controlling display of the image;
Operating means for setting the display direction of the image;
Position detecting means for detecting a position pointed to by the user on the display area;
With
The display control means displays the information presentation image and the operation input image side by side in the display area so that the display direction is in accordance with the operation of the operation means and the same positional relationship is obtained in each display direction. Let
The position detection means is arranged so that the detection area covers an area where the operation input image is positioned in each display direction that can be set by the operation means ,
A viewing direction determining means for determining a viewing direction of the information presentation image and the operation input image by the user;
The display control means invalidates the operation when an operation for setting the display direction in a direction different from the viewing direction is performed via the operation means;
An image display device characterized by that. In claim 1,
The operation means includes first and second operation units arranged across the center of the display area,
The display control means determines a display direction of the information presentation image and the operation input image based on which one of the first and second operation units is operated.
An image display device characterized by that. In claim 2,
When the first operation unit is operated, the display control unit displays the information presentation image and the operation input image in a direction in which the first operation unit is down, and the second control unit When the operation unit is operated, the information display image and the operation input image are displayed in a direction in which the second operation unit is directed downward.
An image display device characterized by that. In claim 2 or 3,
The first and second operation units are arranged on the display area,
An image display device characterized by that. In claim 1 ,
The viewing direction determination means includes an inclination detection means for detecting an inclination of the image display device from a horizontal plane, and compares the inclination detected by the inclination detection means with a threshold value to determine the viewing direction.
An image display device characterized by that. Display means for displaying an image in the display area;
Display control means for controlling display of the image;
Operating means for setting the display direction of the image,
The display control means displays the information presentation image and the operation input image side by side in the display area so that the display direction is in accordance with the operation of the operation means and the same positional relationship is obtained in each display direction. Let
A viewing direction determining means for determining a viewing direction of the information presentation image and the operation input image by the user;
The display control means invalidates the operation when an operation for setting the display direction in a direction different from the viewing direction is performed via the operation means;
An image display device characterized by that. In a computer of an image display device comprising a display means for displaying an image in a display area, and an operation means,
An image for information presentation and an image for operation input are displayed in the display area so as to be in a display direction corresponding to an operation for setting the display direction of the image on the operation means and in the same positional relationship in each display direction. A function to display them side by side,
A function of determining a viewing direction of the information presentation image and the operation input image by the user;
A function of disabling the operation when the operation of setting the display direction in a direction different from the viewing direction is performed via the operation unit;
A program that grants. A display control method for an image display device comprising: display means for displaying an image in a display area; and operating means,
An image for information presentation and an image for operation input are displayed in the display area so as to be in a display direction corresponding to an operation for setting the display direction of the image on the operation means and in the same positional relationship in each display direction. Step by step to display,
Determining a viewing direction of the information presentation image and the operation input image by the user;
Invalidating the operation when an operation for setting the display direction in a direction different from the viewing direction is performed via the operation unit;
A display control method including:

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